HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DADDY! 7/25/14

In this blog, I am going to be positive, about something negative.
The negative, is the fact that today, I am most certain, this will be the last birthday my daddy ever gets to celebrate in his lifetime.
The positive to this, is the hope, that I am wrong. But when I look at the facts, the reality. My daddy isn't well. And I am beyond blessed that he has hung on this long.

He is hanging on, because he loves life. He loves his family, he loves his music. He loves God. He loves his grandchildren.

 

As much as he loves his Lord and Savior, he obviously has no problem going to heaven. But he loves his family here on earth and without being selfish.. he doesn't want to leave us.
And truthfully, I don't want him to leave.
2 years ago May 3rd, I lost my beloved mama. And daddy cried back then telling me he was tired. But he knew, losing my mama and my daddy back to back would devastate me. I cant be selfish and say he wasn't right. Because, he would have absolutely been right. I would have been so lost!

My daddy was rushed to the hospital 3 years ago May 25th, and couldn't breathe. We learned he had congestive heart failure and that his lungs are severely damaged, due to smoking. A nasty habit he didn't mean to start!

In the service, daddy was wounded and woke up in a hospital screaming for the most awful object. A cigarette. And sure enough his Army buddies hooked him up. Now, he lays and suffers daily. Each breath is worse than the last.

Nothing can repair this damage. And now I have to watch my daddy cling to life hoping and praying for a miracle. I get to go visit him, or call him and listen to his stories, his adventures, dreams he once had, and still hanging on to. His journey, childhood, accomplishments, his joys, fears, sorrows and victories. The beautiful day that I was born, My precious mama.
The stories never end. And trust me, sometimes they get repeated, a lot! haha :) but its ok, I love to hear them.

My daddys life, has been an amazing one.
But what happens when that life comes to the end.
It's time to start saying goodbye?

Goodbye is never an easy thing to say. I've learned to pray for strength in saying goodbye. And God has always helped me find peace somehow, but that doesn't make it any easier!

Well...
That is the negative part of this story.
The positive, is the difference this man has made in my life. In so many others lives as well. In music, and in history. And!!! The fact that he is still here! Uncomfortable and has more bad days then good, but here!!
My daddy was once known as "Jimmy" and The Fabulous Earthquakes. Jimmy Dale Jordan, Dale and Grace Ministries. Wrote 1000s of songs, had his name written in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

 

I grew up watching my daddy become a star, he was and always will be my hero. My brothers and I would play with our friends while all of these famous people visited our home. Including Creedance Clear Water, Roy Orbinson, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Little Eva, Billy Joe Royal, just to name a few! Us being little kids, didn't care. We just knew they always came to visit, sang songs through out the night and had a blast.

 

Then the weekend came and daddy was gone again to another show. We didn't care that the fans were waiting to hear him sing. We wanted him home!

But instead we got to see him when he picked us up from the babysitters house about 3 or 4 am on a Friday and Saturday night. I learned later, this "music" career he had was a tough one. But a great one. And I am so proud of him!

I began to follow in my daddys footsteps, singing, playing keyboard, choir, twirling baton in the marching band, dance and cheerleading.. anything that had to do with music and performing, so began a desire in my heart also, a passion, for this thing called music.

I am so proud of my daddy, yet so sad to watch him cry, wanting to get on stage just one more time.

 

Family, is so precious. I would give anything to talk to my mama again, and hug her neck. But I wouldn't take her beautiful heaven away from her and ask her to come back for nothing. I want my daddy here with me forever, I want to get on stage with him again and sing forever! But yet, I don't want to hear him cry and see him suffer anymore either.

 

This life, is super precious. Every moment is an opportunity to love, and create a memory, or to help someone smile. I've learned so much from this man. He thinks through all these years, we weren't listening. Teenagers, just don't listen. And try to rebel. Well, I was listening, and I still am. I am listening to every little thing he says, because I know at any moment it could be the last few words I hear.

 

Daddy and I used to do a show called the "Dale and Grace" show. It was super cute, and came out of the doo wop era. The fans loved this daddy-daughter team. And I just lit up like a Christmas tree every time we would get on stage and do our cute little dance, and just look at each other and smile. These moments I will never forget.

 

The end of each night would come, and daddy and I would sing... "Happy Trails to You, Until we meet again" I can see myself now, holding daddys hands and he waits to meet Jesus himself, singing Happy Trails Daddy, until we meet again.

 

Love Always, Your Babygirl Forever. Happy Birthday to the greatest man I ever knew.